Three US senators push for more sanctions on Iran
The three Republican senators called Saturday for increased sanctions against Iran despite administration objections. Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois, a junior member of the Senate banking committee, released a statement together with Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire responding to a report in Friday's New York Times that the Obama administration is considering easing sanctions on Iran by releasing Iran's frozen overseas cash. They said, “The end of talks in Geneva this week with no change in Iranian behavior means the US should not suspend new sanctions, nor consider releasing limited frozen assets” before “Tehran suspends its nuclear enrichment activities. "Now is a time to strengthen–not weaken–U.S. and international sanctions," the senators said.
The White House National Security Council spokesman responded: “Discussion of specific types of sanctions relief is premature and speculative.”